Newsletter

Newsletter ~ March 2013 Issue

Integrated predator management on private land

Our primary activities are integrated predator management
(IPM) and advocacy for kiwi on the mainland, particularly
outside the Crown estate which is administered by DoC.
Integrated is the key word.

Many kiwicare projects concentrate on stoats as these are
the main killers of baby kiwi.

NZ Kiwi Foundation agrees that stoats are important,
but cats are relatively ignored by most projects.
Weasels, rats and hedgehogs are also caught as bycatch
when trapping for stoats: weasels are important
as they eat kiwi food and all manner of invertebrates;
hedgehogs are carriers of leptospirosis as well as
being predators of kiwi eggs; but rats may be the most
important pest other than stoats and cats because rats
are direct competitors for kiwi food, carry diseases
such as leptospirosis and eat the fruit and seeds of the
forest thus causing widespread damage. The success
of the re-introduction of North Island weka to Russell
is largely attributable to effective rat control
according to NZ's weka expert Tony Beauchamp.

NZ Kiwi Foundation does possum control but
numbers are so low now within our project areas that
possums are not a major concern. Fur collectors are
used initially to control possums in new areas of IPM
by NZ Kiwi Foundation. Thereafter, we deal with
possums through control by landowners or by
servicing bait stations within an IPM system.

NZ Kiwi Foundation land at Russell

Significant progress has been made on the land owned
by NZ Kiwi Foundation at Russell Heights. Integrated
pest management was established in 2007 and has
been maintained since. A track has been made
through the block to link Florance Avenue with
Russell Heights.

Many thanks to Russell Landcare Group for their
planting work in 2011 and 2012. This July, we are
expecting to plant up to 500 trees and shrubs. A group
of Globalworks volunteers are coming from America
to assist with weed control, track-making and planting
this winter. The entrance from Florance Avenue
requires engineering design and build, and hopefully
will be completed next summer. We should then be
able to open the walking track.

Stoats and Weasels

Stoats and weasels can be confused with each other.
Both are mustelids (as are ferrets), with stoats being
much the larger predator and occupying a bigger
range of up to 200 hectares for male stoats. The
colours of both animals are similar with light brown
on top and white undersides. Ferrets are not seen in
the Bay of Islands.

As you can see in the photo, the stoat's tail is
longer and has a marked black tip. This stoat is about 300 millimetres long.
Both the stoat and the weasel in the photo were
trapped on Purerua Peninsula and are typical of the
size of each species.

Pateke release

The third and final release of pateke at Mountain
Landing on Purerua Peninsula happens this May. Up
to 80 pateke are to be released this time adding to the
26 released in 2011 and the 26 in 2012. The project is
successful thus far with over 50 percent surviving.
The losses have been attributed largely to killing by
feral cats.

We expect a large amount of dispersal from this
release because of the large number of pateke – so
look out in your area for different-looking
ducks. Pateke are small, brown ducks with a
distinctive white circle around the eye. All these
pateke will be tagged but only 20 can be radio-monitored.

New Kiwicare Groups

Puketotara Kiwicare Group was established in 2012
with a Community Pest Control Area (CPCA) of
c.1,800 hectares with Northland Regional Council and
NZ Kiwi Foundation. It covers most of the land east
of Waiare Road, north of Lodore Rd to the Kerikeri
River, east to near the beginning of Mangakaretu
Road and to the shore of Lake Waingaro. Andrew
Mentor is the contact person on 09 401 9699 if you
are within this area or just outside it.

A CPCA was established also in late 2012 based on
several properties and called the Upper Kerikeri River
CPCA and covering over 850 hectares. This,
combined with Puketotara Kiwicare, means that there
are now linkages between the Puketi Forest Trust and
(almost) Kerikeri.

Another CPCA with NZ Kiwi Foundation and IPM
was established in 2012 based on the power station
site of Top Energy at Ngawha, at c.476 hectares.

Funding

Annual General Meeting

The AGM for the NZ Kiwi Foundation for 2012 will
be held at Aroha Island at 3 p.m. on 27th April 2013.
Please come along. The formal meeting takes less
than an hour followed by a 20 minute talk and
discussion, and then refreshments.

Trustees and Committee

Trustee: Russell Thomas is retiring as a trustee at this
year's AGM. Russell is a founding trustee of the NZ
Kiwi Foundation and was Treasurer in the early years
as well. His expertise as an ornithologist has been
really informative, and his analysis of all issues has
been a central part of most of our decision-making.
Russell was on the early missions to find the Taiko in
the Chatham Islands and remains a member of the
Taiko Trust. We wish Russell well in his retirement
but also look forward to continuing discussions with
him about our activities.
Treasurer and trustee: Edwin De Wilde resigned in
May 2012 after six years. Many thanks Edwin and
good luck for the future. Michael Goodchild moved
north from Christchurch two and a half years ago and
has replaced Edwin as Treasurer. Michael has had a
long and varied career as an accountant -welcome
aboard Michael. The audited annual accounts for 2012
are available.
Secretary: Tracey Bowers was our secretary for over
18 months until December 2012. Thank you Tracey
for your great work. Is there anyone who would like
to join us as secretary? Meetings are monthly plus the
AGM in April. Note that no specialist knowledge of
kiwi is required for this job. And, it's usually fun!